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The Admiralty Lodge

Golfers - and, outside the main holiday season when holidaymakers are staying in the adjacent campsites, anyone who seeks peace - will love this luxurious guesthouse and restaurant just minutes away from Spanish Point Links Course, and very convenient to Doonbeg and Lahinch.

A sweeping entrance leads to the smartly maintained building - there's an old 1830s lodge in there somewhere, with various extensions in different finishes creating the rather pleasing impression of a cluster of buildings. The exterior can seem a little bleak (it is hard to soften buildings with greenery in west Clare) - but, once inside, a large reception area with matt cream marble floors, mahogany desk, deep purple chaise longue and two huge elephant feet plants set the tone, and a spacious air of luxury takes over.

Smart, comfortable and restful public areas continue in the same vein and large, airy bedrooms have a similar sense of style and generosity, with king size four-posters and sumptuous marbled bathrooms with bath and power shower, flat screen TV and stereo.

Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room). Pets by arrangement. Garden, walking. Golf nearby.

Rooms 12 (1 superior, all no smoking, 1 ground floor, 1 disabled). Air conditioning. Room service (all day). Turndown service. B&B €100pps, ss €60. Closed Nov-Mar.

Piano Room:

The restaurant is a long, warmly decorated room with beautiful Waterford crystal chandeliers, a grand piano, and French doors leading to a large garden. Immaculate table settings set the tone for a classic/modern menu which is interesting in its simplicity and matches the style of cooking which is well thought out, with the main ingredient complemented by imaginative accompaniments.

Complimentary pre-starters and really good breads arrive very promptly and very professional formal service is provided by (mainly) French staff, who are knowledgeable about the food. Everything is perfectly cooked and elegantly presented - creative desserts, especially, are stunning to look at and a pleasure to savour.

Although the seasonal aspect of the location tends to mean that chefs change from year to year, the standard of this restaurant has been consistently excellent from the outset, and it attracts diners from a wide area.

An early bird menu offers particularly good value.

The Piano Room : Seats 55 (private room, 30); air conditioning; toilets wheelchair accessible. Pianist weekends or nightly in summer. D Tue-Sun 6.30-9.30 (Mon residents only); Lounge Menu L daily, 12-3 (except Sun). Early D €30 (6-7), Set D €39. House wine €24. SC discretionary. Restaurant closed Sun L; also on Mon night (except for residents). Helipad. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

From Ennis take Lahinch road into Miltown Malbay, on to Spanish Point